FULL-SCALE AND MODEL TESTS OF A GREAT LAKES ICEBREAKER

The U.S. Coast Guard has formulated a research to provide design information for future icebreakers. Part of this program was a combined model and full-scale experiment involving a Great Lakes icebreaker, the USCGC "Mackinaw". The experiment was designed to collect data on the resistance to the motion of icebreakers and to evaluate the feasibility of developing a rational technique for estimating loads exerted on an icebreaker's hull during impact with the ice. The resistance of ice to the motion of the "Mackinaw" was determined during an extensive full-scale test. Ice resistance experiments were performed on a 1/48th scale model of "Mackinaw" in saline model ice at the ARCTEC Ice Model Basin. Model and full-scale test results were compared. The full-scale performance of the USCGC "Mackinaw" was compared with that of the Wind Class icebreaker to assess the effects of ice strength on resistance. The effectiveness as an ice resistance reducing device of the "Mackinaw's" single bow propeller was evaluated. Impact loads on a portion of the ship's hull were measured and related to ship speed, ice thickness, and ice strength. Dimensionless groups, extracted from dimensional analysis of the hull ice interaction phenomenon, explain well the model and full-scale resistance data and full scale impact load data. Model and full-scale resistance data correlate well at low Froude number (v/square root of gh). The comparison of the "Mackinaw" and "Wind" Class ice resistance revealed a distinct difference in performance but ice strength effects appear small.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the Annual Meeting of SNAME. Paper #5.
• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers

  601 Pavonia Avenue
  Jersey City, NJ  United States  07306-2907
• Authors:
  • Edwards Jr, R Y
  • Lewis, J W
  • Wheaton, J W
  • Coburn Jr, J L
• Publication Date: 1972-11-16

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 31 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Ice; Icebreakers; Icebreaking; Impact loads; Loads; Resistance (Mechanics); Vehicle design
• Old TRIS Terms: Ice loads; Ice resistance
• Subject Areas: Design; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00039337
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 10 1973 12:00AM